Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Elementary Task Force Committee
On Thursday, February 20th I also spent time in Raleigh working with several Deans of the College of Education from various Universities and Colleges across North Carolina and several people who work at the Department of Public Instruction. We had many great discussions on how to prepare preservice teachers for the classroom.
After the meeting I walked to the elevator where I was stopped by an older man. He looked at me and laughed and asked, "Are you even old enough to work here?" I was very taken aback at first. I choose my words very carefully and then said, "Hi, I am Darcy Grimes and I am the North Carolina Teachers of the Year." I then stuck out my hand to shake his. He looked at my hand, make a humph sound, and said, "You mean you are old enough to teach others." I smiled and said, "Yes, I look young but last year I taught 3rd graders how to collaborate and learn with others across the world. And this year I have the opportunity to work with the amazing teachers we have across our state." At that point he rolled his eyes and walked away.
I am writing about this today, because it was a great reminder to me. I was reminded that although we are often judged by what we look like, it is how we react and what we do each day that matters.
ASU Pre-Service Math Teachers
On Friday, February 20th I was excited to travel to Appalachian State University to speak to the Pre-Service Math Teachers. When I walked into the classroom I immediately had flashbacks to the one and only time I was in the CAP building and the classroom itself. Although I had flashbacks it wasn't until Dr. Long walked into the room that I realized the reason I had been in this room before was when I was an undergrad student and participated in the Pre-Service Math Teachers club! At that point I became very excited! I thought it was really neat that I participated in the club and now I was presenting to the club!
While there I met many very excited teachers. Some who are planning on teaching middle school math and many future elementary school teachers. I also had the wonderful opportunity to see Whitney who was the ASU student who volunteered in my classroom last school year. It was great to see her and catch up!
I was very excited with all of the questions that the students asked while I was sharing how I taught math in my 3rd grade classroom last year. I shared how I changed my teaching from whole group math to small math groups and stations, project based learning assignments, and having my students collaborate with other classes across the state. It was wonderful experience and I would love to come back and work with the ASU Pre-Service Math Teachers.
Pictures below:
While there I met many very excited teachers. Some who are planning on teaching middle school math and many future elementary school teachers. I also had the wonderful opportunity to see Whitney who was the ASU student who volunteered in my classroom last school year. It was great to see her and catch up!
I was very excited with all of the questions that the students asked while I was sharing how I taught math in my 3rd grade classroom last year. I shared how I changed my teaching from whole group math to small math groups and stations, project based learning assignments, and having my students collaborate with other classes across the state. It was wonderful experience and I would love to come back and work with the ASU Pre-Service Math Teachers.
Pictures below:
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| Discussing Math Stations |
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| Picture from the back of the room. |
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| All of the wonderful Pre-Service Math Teachers! |
Monday, February 25, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
ASU Grad School Accounting Class
On Monday, February 18th I came back to Appalachian State University to speak to a group of graduate school accountant students. I will admit I was a little bit nervous at first, because this was a very different audience then I was used to. But, it ended up being a wonderful time! All of the students were very interested in learning about how the education system works. I explained to them the different roles that the General Assembly, DPI, local boards, and schools play when it comes to teaching the students of North Carolina. I also showed them an example of students in a classroom and a teacher's daily schedule. The accountant majors were shocked by a teacher's daily schedule and they couldn't get over the fact that we do get 15 minutes breaks or an hour for lunch.
Towards the end of our discussion one of the students asked me about teacher pay. The rest of the class started discussing how much a first year teacher makes and about the pay freeze. At one point a student looked at me and said, "if that is what you get paid then why are you a teacher?" I was shocked because I don't think I have ever been asked that question. I looked at him and said because when I knew I wanted to be a teacher at age 5 I didn't know anything about teacher pay. I knew that I wanted to be a teacher to help students and to give them the skills so they need so they will have successful lives. I do it for them. He looked at me and said, "but you have to have money to live." I then said, "yes, yes we do. And living pay check to pay check and budgeting to you have enough money to eat is not fun. But, I do it for the students, not for me."
Towards the end of our discussion one of the students asked me about teacher pay. The rest of the class started discussing how much a first year teacher makes and about the pay freeze. At one point a student looked at me and said, "if that is what you get paid then why are you a teacher?" I was shocked because I don't think I have ever been asked that question. I looked at him and said because when I knew I wanted to be a teacher at age 5 I didn't know anything about teacher pay. I knew that I wanted to be a teacher to help students and to give them the skills so they need so they will have successful lives. I do it for them. He looked at me and said, "but you have to have money to live." I then said, "yes, yes we do. And living pay check to pay check and budgeting to you have enough money to eat is not fun. But, I do it for the students, not for me."
Erwin Montessori Elementary School
On Friday, February 15th I traveled to Greensboro to Erwin Montessori Elementary School. While they I shared (with wonderful Kindergarten teacher, Athena) some of the technology web 2.0 tools that I taught at NCCAT in the fall. I was very impressed that although the teachers do not have access to SmartBoards or projectors they were very excited about the tools. They were even coming up with lessons that they could teach using the tools. Thank you for allowing me to come to your school and the excitement you bring to your classroom each day!
St. Pauls Elementary School
On Thursday, February 14th I was invited to speak with teachers at St. Pauls Elementary School. I was so impressed that although it was Valentines' Day, all of the teachers seemed excited to come together as a school and discuss "that LOVE for teaching". I had a wonderful time! Thank you for having me!
Underwood GT Elementary Magnet School
On Wednesday, February 13th I had the wonderful opportunity to spend an entire day at Underwood GT Elementary Magnet School in Wake County. I was so excited to spend the day at a school and work with students and talk with teachers! The staff was wonderful! They gave me the opportunity to work with students from Kindergarten- 5th grade.
Underwood Elementary is a Magnet School and I loved everything they had in place! It was amazing to see students as young as first grade switching classes on their own to go to electives that they were able to choose. The students did a wonderful job in the hallways and the teachers were all amazing! When I had the chance to sit down with several teachers for a roundtable type discussion, I asked how they do it. How, despite all of the stress and change in schools, do the create a calming and exciting environment for students? An environment where all teachers seemed to be excited to be there working with students and greeted everyone with a smile on their face. The teachers response to me was that every single person in the school cares about students. Which is how it should be. Thank you teachers at Underwood GT Elementary Magnet School for everything you do!
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| Science Project in Mrs. Lohr's 1st Grade Class! |
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| Fish in Mrs. Lohr's 1st Grade! |
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Mrs. Buda's 3rd grade
On Friday I had the opportunity to spend an entire day in a 3rd grade classroom! I was so excited I could hardly contain myself! (I really miss teaching students each day.) Mrs. Buda allowed me into her classroom at Park View Elementary School which is located in the Moorseville Graded School District. Her students were wonderful! I watched them as they used their macbooks to do their morning work, spelling test, multiplication test, create slides for their research project, and work with kindergartners to create slides about the weather. It was amazing how excited and mature the students were with the macbooks. They understood the responsibility and used the tools correctly. I also had the opportunity to watch the students work at the Promethean Activ Table. (I had never seen one of these in person before and now I want one!) The students did a wonderful job collaborating together on the activities. I had an amazing day! Thank you Mrs. Buda and her 3rd graders for allowing me to spend the day with you!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
From the Race to the Top Weekly Update
USED Report: NC is Ahead in the Race to the Top
Last
week, the U.S. Department of Education issued the news that North
Carolina is at the head of the pack at the halfway point of our
Race to the Top initiative. “North Carolina has set a clear path
forward on comprehensive education reform that will better support
teachers and principals and enable student growth for years to come,”
said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “They have
overcome challenges and proved what’s possible when everyone works
together. We look forward to seeing their continued progress and strong
execution of key efforts that will empower educators to transform their
classrooms into models of 21st century learning.”
The report cites a number of areas where the state has been especially successful:
·
Transitioning to College and Career-Ready Standards through professional development and diagnostic assessments for teachers.
·
Supporting Great Teachers and School
Leaders by adopting a statewide growth model for tested subjects and
online evaluation across all districts, engaging educators in developing
statewide growth measures, training teachers
through the new Teacher Corps program, and completing training for
principals in Leadership Academies.
·
Turning Around Low-Performing Schools.
Since the beginning of the grant, 84 percent of NC's low-performing
schools have increased their performance, 39 are performing above the
target of 60 percent proficiency, and five of
seven that had graduation rates below 60 percent are now above that
mark. This has been accomplished in part by 72 coaches dispatched to
these schools.
· Building Better Data Systems through the design and shared services via the NC
Education Cloud and through the development of Home
Base, the state's new technology-based tool to manage all professional
resources and student data.
· Enhancing
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education
through serving students in three anchor and 12 affinity STEM
schools across the state, along with the development of new, virtual
STEM courses.
Visit
www.ncpublicschools.org to read a News Release on the report.
The release includes a link to the report itself. Also, check out
this article on the USED’s take on North Carolina as a leader among RttT
states.
State Board Meeting Notes
Here is what was discussed at the State Board Meeting today:
*Implementation of General Assembly's Read to Achieve Program (3rd graders must be on grade level before going on to 4th grade) https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=10399&AID=12003&MID=783
Here is the guidebook to help you understand the powerpoint: https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=10399&AID=11774&MID=783
*Driver's Education Reform Report was presented
*Renewal Recommendations for Charter Schools with charters expiring 2013
*Charter School Amendments
*Recommendations from the Public Charter School Advisory Council
*Cooperative Innovative School Approvals
*Final Approval for Charter School Applicants
All State Board materials are online at: https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/Index.aspx?S=10399
*Implementation of General Assembly's Read to Achieve Program (3rd graders must be on grade level before going on to 4th grade) https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=10399&AID=12003&MID=783
Here is the guidebook to help you understand the powerpoint: https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=10399&AID=11774&MID=783
*Driver's Education Reform Report was presented
*Renewal Recommendations for Charter Schools with charters expiring 2013
*Charter School Amendments
*Recommendations from the Public Charter School Advisory Council
*Cooperative Innovative School Approvals
*Final Approval for Charter School Applicants
All State Board materials are online at: https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/Index.aspx?S=10399
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
National Teacher of the Year Conference Day 5
Saturday, February 2, 2013
The Last Day...
Although today is the last day we were all still very excited for what was to come. Today was filled with information, excitement, and emotions. During our first session of the day we heard Scott Palmer from the Education Counsel discuss what is to come in the future. He spoke about upcoming topics and changes in education that could be happening in the future. The information at times was scary, but real. It made us realize what could be on the horizon as far as public education.
Our lunch today was sponsored by People to People. A wonderful program that helps students and teachers take their classroom outside of the four walls of the building. They help students to take field trips abroad. When we walked in the room for lunch, we immediately stopped. They had changed the room into many different countries!
After lunch the teachers worked with the past National Teachers of the Year. It was really neat to hear all of their stories on how they became a teacher and the course they took. They then gave all of us the opportunity to share our stories with small groups. It was really interesting hearing that we all took drastically different paths to get to the same place. The National TOYs also had us practice our "elevator speech". The "elevator speech" is what you would say to someone about education if you only have enough time to speak to them before they got off on their floor in an elevator. It was a very thought proving exercise that I will always remember. It made me realize I need to use my voice to share what is happening in education.
After our Working Session with the National Teachers we were given a couple of hours to explore Scottsdale before our dinner. I walked with a couple of teachers to the "canal". The "canal" is in quotes because it was being drained and only had a couple of puddles. Pictures below:
After our walk it was time to get ready for our Concluding Dinner. This is the dinner where the Four Finalists were announced and the 2012 National Teacher of the Year Rebecca Mielwocki spoke. The food was delicious and there was even someone playing a harp! Pictures below:
The Last Day...
Although today is the last day we were all still very excited for what was to come. Today was filled with information, excitement, and emotions. During our first session of the day we heard Scott Palmer from the Education Counsel discuss what is to come in the future. He spoke about upcoming topics and changes in education that could be happening in the future. The information at times was scary, but real. It made us realize what could be on the horizon as far as public education.
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| Jon Quam and Scott Palmer |
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| They gave the teachers a quiz about different facts from different countries. |
After lunch the teachers worked with the past National Teachers of the Year. It was really neat to hear all of their stories on how they became a teacher and the course they took. They then gave all of us the opportunity to share our stories with small groups. It was really interesting hearing that we all took drastically different paths to get to the same place. The National TOYs also had us practice our "elevator speech". The "elevator speech" is what you would say to someone about education if you only have enough time to speak to them before they got off on their floor in an elevator. It was a very thought proving exercise that I will always remember. It made me realize I need to use my voice to share what is happening in education.
After our Working Session with the National Teachers we were given a couple of hours to explore Scottsdale before our dinner. I walked with a couple of teachers to the "canal". The "canal" is in quotes because it was being drained and only had a couple of puddles. Pictures below:
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| Camelback Mountain |
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| Me and Iose from American Samoa. Notice the puddle in the background. |
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| Artists came in and added art to the canal since there is no water. |
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| These birds were so loud we thought they were monkeys! |
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| The Pony Express Statues |
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| Cindi and me! |
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| Wyoming and me. Both 3rd grade teachers! |
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| The group! |
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| The girls! |
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| The harp! |
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| Me and Allison from Tennessee |
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| Rebecca Mieliwocki National Teacher of Year 2012 |
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| Cathy from Missouri, Kathy from Virgina, and me! |
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| The table group. |
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| Flower arrangement! |
National Teacher of the Year Conference Day 4
Friday, February 1, 2013
I can't believe it is already February and the 4th day of the conference! We have accomplished a lot and I have met so many new friends, but I still can't believe tomorrow is the last day! Today we spent a good amount of time discussing "The Why, the What, the Who, and the Where". This session allowed us to think about why we are hear, what we are going to do with this year, who are we going to change, and where will be in the end. All of these are wonderful questions, I just wish I had all of the answers!
This afternoon we were given the gift of time to network and explore Scottsdale, Arizona with the new friends that we have met. Most of us headed downtown to the "old town" of Scottsdale. This area had art galleries, stores, and restaurants. It was neat being able to walk around downtown and feel like we knew most of the people walking around. I kept thinking how far we have come since the first day when we didn't know anyone. Now I feel like I have 53 new friends! Below are some pictures of the town.
I can't believe it is already February and the 4th day of the conference! We have accomplished a lot and I have met so many new friends, but I still can't believe tomorrow is the last day! Today we spent a good amount of time discussing "The Why, the What, the Who, and the Where". This session allowed us to think about why we are hear, what we are going to do with this year, who are we going to change, and where will be in the end. All of these are wonderful questions, I just wish I had all of the answers!
This afternoon we were given the gift of time to network and explore Scottsdale, Arizona with the new friends that we have met. Most of us headed downtown to the "old town" of Scottsdale. This area had art galleries, stores, and restaurants. It was neat being able to walk around downtown and feel like we knew most of the people walking around. I kept thinking how far we have come since the first day when we didn't know anyone. Now I feel like I have 53 new friends! Below are some pictures of the town.
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| Cool guy playing music! |
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| North Carolina and Missouri in front of the fountain and statue! |
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| We really wanted this picture! Even if it meant that we weren't watching for cars! |
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| Trolly! |
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| This was a man acting like a statue to scare people. Hilarious! |
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| Cowboy? |
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| State Teachers of the Year! |
National Teacher of the Year Conference Day 3
Thursday January 31, 2013
Today started with a wonderful breakfast buffet. (I have already eaten way to much wonderful food!) Our first session gave us the opportunity to hear from many of the CCSSO Educator-in-Residences. It was really neat to be able to hear the different view points and what the CCSSO is doing.
We then went to lunch which was sponsored by Target. Target sponsors the National Teacher of the Year program and teachers across our country. They truly believe in education and want to help teachers and students. Below is picture of the Target dog and the wonderful dessert!
After lunch we participated in Policy Makers, Media, and Practice sessions by Carolyn Warner (Founder and President of Corporate Education Consulting Inc) and David Bolger (Partner and COO of Corporate Education Consulting Inc.) They shared with us great information about dealing with the media.
At night, all of the coordinators and TOYs traveled to the Desert Botanical Gardens for dinner. The cacti, flowers, and plants were really neat looking! I have never seen a cactus as big as the cacti in the garden. It was beautiful!
During the dinner at the Desert Botanical Gardens, The University of Phoenix announced the greatest gift anyone could ever give. They announced that for all 54 Teachers of the Year we were being given the gift to Pay it Forward. (I still can't believe this!) The University of Phoenix is allowing all of us to give the gift of college to someone! We couldn't believe our ears! We were given the gift to change someone's life forever!
Today started with a wonderful breakfast buffet. (I have already eaten way to much wonderful food!) Our first session gave us the opportunity to hear from many of the CCSSO Educator-in-Residences. It was really neat to be able to hear the different view points and what the CCSSO is doing.
We then went to lunch which was sponsored by Target. Target sponsors the National Teacher of the Year program and teachers across our country. They truly believe in education and want to help teachers and students. Below is picture of the Target dog and the wonderful dessert!
After lunch we participated in Policy Makers, Media, and Practice sessions by Carolyn Warner (Founder and President of Corporate Education Consulting Inc) and David Bolger (Partner and COO of Corporate Education Consulting Inc.) They shared with us great information about dealing with the media.
At night, all of the coordinators and TOYs traveled to the Desert Botanical Gardens for dinner. The cacti, flowers, and plants were really neat looking! I have never seen a cactus as big as the cacti in the garden. It was beautiful!
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| Really cool cactus! |
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| State TOYs and National TOY Michelle! |
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| North Carolina and Virgina |
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| Cacti at night. |
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| Another Cactus |
During the dinner at the Desert Botanical Gardens, The University of Phoenix announced the greatest gift anyone could ever give. They announced that for all 54 Teachers of the Year we were being given the gift to Pay it Forward. (I still can't believe this!) The University of Phoenix is allowing all of us to give the gift of college to someone! We couldn't believe our ears! We were given the gift to change someone's life forever!
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| All of our gifts |
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| The group! |
Monday, February 4, 2013
National Teacher of the Year Conference Day 2
Wednesday, January 30
I woke up the 2nd day so excited to meet the rest of the State TOYs and for SMART Technology Training! During the training we had the opportunity to use one of the new 885ix SmartBoard! I was so excited! With this SmartBoard four people can touch the screen at once! Pictures below:
During the training we were also given the opportunity to create a notebook page that described us and our state. This was a lot of fun and was a great way to meet and remember everyone.
After our SMART Training the coordinators arrived for the Opening Dinner. Although I was sad that we are in between coordinators right now, I was super excited that Cindi Rigsbee volunteered to come with me! Cindi was the NC 2009 TOY and a finalist for NTOY. I could not have asked for a better stand- in coordinator and mentor!
After dinner the teachers and coordinators were divided up into "homeroom". This gave us the opportunity to talk and share in smaller groups. Each group had a past National TOY with them in their homeroom.
I woke up the 2nd day so excited to meet the rest of the State TOYs and for SMART Technology Training! During the training we had the opportunity to use one of the new 885ix SmartBoard! I was so excited! With this SmartBoard four people can touch the screen at once! Pictures below:
During the training we were also given the opportunity to create a notebook page that described us and our state. This was a lot of fun and was a great way to meet and remember everyone.
After our SMART Training the coordinators arrived for the Opening Dinner. Although I was sad that we are in between coordinators right now, I was super excited that Cindi Rigsbee volunteered to come with me! Cindi was the NC 2009 TOY and a finalist for NTOY. I could not have asked for a better stand- in coordinator and mentor!
After dinner the teachers and coordinators were divided up into "homeroom". This gave us the opportunity to talk and share in smaller groups. Each group had a past National TOY with them in their homeroom.
National Teacher of the Year Conference Day 1
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
I woke up this morning knowing that I would be traveling the majority of the day across many states to Scottsdale, Arizona for the National Teacher of the Year Conference. I started my journey by driving to Greensboro to fly to Atlanta. At the airport the security guy asked me where I was going. I explained to him about the National Teacher of the Year Conference (NTOY) and immediately his demeanor changed. He began to smile and told me had has a son in 4th grade who loves school. We continued our conversation and then he said, "tell all of the teachers thank you for what they do". It put a huge smile on my face to hear a complete stranger thanking teachers. I told him I would tell everyone that and proceeded on my journey to Atlanta.
When I arrived at the Atlanta airport I had to practically run to the gate. When I got there a lady smiled at me and asked, "Are you Darcy Grimes the North Carolina TOY?" I told her yes and she said, "I am Suzanne the TOY from Alabama!" I was so excited to meet another teacher of the year! We immediately started talking and then recognized a couple of other people in the crowd. We found Kathy from Virgina, Lauren from Georgia, and Alex from Florida. It made me feel so much better to know that we were all on the same flight together!
The flight was smooth and before we knew it we were arriving at our destination Hotel Valley Ho. I got checked in and had just enough time to get ready before meeting the rest of the teachers. The Welcome Dinner for the TOYs was a lot of fun. It was an amazing feeling to have a teacher of the year from every state and district/territory. In all there were 54 of us. I sat at a table with the teacher from Virgina, West Virginia, Hawaii, Alabama, Arkansas 2012, and two people from SMART Tech.
Pictures of Day 1 are below:
I woke up this morning knowing that I would be traveling the majority of the day across many states to Scottsdale, Arizona for the National Teacher of the Year Conference. I started my journey by driving to Greensboro to fly to Atlanta. At the airport the security guy asked me where I was going. I explained to him about the National Teacher of the Year Conference (NTOY) and immediately his demeanor changed. He began to smile and told me had has a son in 4th grade who loves school. We continued our conversation and then he said, "tell all of the teachers thank you for what they do". It put a huge smile on my face to hear a complete stranger thanking teachers. I told him I would tell everyone that and proceeded on my journey to Atlanta.
When I arrived at the Atlanta airport I had to practically run to the gate. When I got there a lady smiled at me and asked, "Are you Darcy Grimes the North Carolina TOY?" I told her yes and she said, "I am Suzanne the TOY from Alabama!" I was so excited to meet another teacher of the year! We immediately started talking and then recognized a couple of other people in the crowd. We found Kathy from Virgina, Lauren from Georgia, and Alex from Florida. It made me feel so much better to know that we were all on the same flight together!
The flight was smooth and before we knew it we were arriving at our destination Hotel Valley Ho. I got checked in and had just enough time to get ready before meeting the rest of the teachers. The Welcome Dinner for the TOYs was a lot of fun. It was an amazing feeling to have a teacher of the year from every state and district/territory. In all there were 54 of us. I sat at a table with the teacher from Virgina, West Virginia, Hawaii, Alabama, Arkansas 2012, and two people from SMART Tech.
Pictures of Day 1 are below:
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| The really cool bathroom! |
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| The Hotel Room. |
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| Everyone at the dinner table the first night! |
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| The group from the Atlanta airport! |
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